It’s Friday!!
And it’s cold. It was 9 degrees on my run this morning with a winter advisory for wind chill, which can drop the temperatures to -25. I believe it, the wind is so cold. I had my parents in town, so of course my week flew by. Every night there seemed to be something happening. Trying to juggle work, school and social life can be quite stressful at times. Somehow I always manage to fit it all in. It was great seeing my parents. I haven’t seen my mom since the wedding.
During the Holiday season family is a priority for me. They always seems to warm my soul, as corny as that sounds. They are amazing. My mom was so helpful with the cleaning and giving me ideas for future business (I will fill you in once I have begun to get things started). Even being around family for an hour does my soul some good. I think in the midst of all our to do lists and running around trying to check off our Christmas shopping lists, we forget what Christmas is all about.
First and foremost it’s about the birth of our Savior. Then comes family. Celebrating our Savior and making time for family should be our top priorities. After all family and the love of our Father never fade, but material things do.
Soups and hot cocoa are also great ways to warm the soul!! I know I am definitely drawn to anything warm during the winter season. I love holding warm tea or drinks, and love enjoying bowls of warm soup. I wanted to share with you two new recipes that will definitely do the trick of warming you cold bones on a wintery day
Quick Kale Sweet Potato Orzo Soup
If you need an easy soup that takes 30 minutes, then look no further. This soup is easy and only has 4 main ingredients. Honestly, you just throw everything in a pan and let the stove do the rest. You can serve with or without parmesan, it’s great both ways.
Total cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 6-7 c vegetable broth
- 2 c water
- 1 bunch kale, chopped
- 2 sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3/4 c orzo
- salt and pepper taste
Directions: Add all but orzo to a stockpot and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 15-20 minutes). Meanwhile bring small pot of water to boil. Add orzo and cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain. Add orzo and salt and pepper to soup and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve with Parmesan (optional).
Servings: 8-10
Okay so this isn’t really hot cocoa, but you get the gist. You can add cocoa powder to the drink and it will taste great. I am a chocolate fan, but I think it tastes better without the cocoa powder. It tastes like pumpkin pie. We enjoyed it while decorating our Christmas tree. It’s a drink meant for the Holiday season and for cold wintery days. Snuggle up with a great book and this hot drink in hand, or enjoy it with a Christmas movie and popcorn. Okay that sounds amazing right now. I think that’s on my “list” of things to do this Holiday season 
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond milk or the milk of your choice
- 3 heaping Tbs pureed pumpkin
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup
- pinch of nutmeg
Directions: Add milk, pumpkin and spices to blender and blend until smooth. Add mixture to a small sauce pan and heat over medium low heat (don’t forget to stir and watch your milk or it will burn. I have dome this a time or two). Heat until heated and pumpkin is smooth Stir in maple syrup and serve.
It’s great topped with marshmallows or whipped cream. You can also add cocoa powder to it making it an actual pumpkin hot cocoa. Either way it’s delish.
Servings: 2
Until next time Be Whole and Fit!!
What’s your favorite hot drink?
I love warm food in the winter. Although it doesn’t get super cold in SoCal, it does get chilly in the mornings and evenings and I love to wrap my cold hands around a warm cup of tea. These recipes look so good! I’ll have to try the pumpkin hot chocolate today.. I have all of the ingredients! xoxoxo